Encouraging Better Living
with Parkinson’s
Shaking Palsy is what it used to be known as. In 1817, Dr James Parkinson published the first detailed disease description. The disease is named after him and called Parkinson’s Disease. World Parkinson’s Day is observed on April 11 every year, the birthday of Dr James Parkinson. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that gets worse with time. It’s the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world. What leads to the onset of Parkinson’s is not known, and it happens typically in people over the age of 60. Early onset of Parkinson’s is also seen. No cure for Parkinson’s is known, and treatment is only to lessen the burden on the patient. The second most common neurodegenerative condition is Parkinson’s after Alzheimer’s, but it is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world. Making dietary changes, exercising regularly, and avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals are some of the things that can reduce the risk. Coffee lovers must be relieved to know that Caffeine appears protective. It’s essential to continue raising awareness about this condition and supporting research efforts to improve management and quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s. As poetically Omar Khayyam puts it, learn to be happy with the moment. This moment is your life, so enjoy it.
Neurological conditions cause great suffering to individuals and families. They affect and rob communities and economies of human capital. It is more important than ever to ensure brain health is better understood, valued and protected from early childhood to later life.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Shaking Palsy is what it used to be known as. In 1817, Dr James Parkinson, an English Doctor, published the first detailed description of the disease, which he described as Shaking Palsy.The disease is named after him and called Parkinson’s Disease or, simply put, Parkinson’s. World Parkinson’s Day is observed on April 11 every year, the birthday of Dr James Parkinson. It aimed to raise awareness and enhance the understanding of the complexity of Parkinson’s disease. Even though James Parkinson was credited for describing the disease, in 1690, a Hungarian medical text had the description. Being in Hungarian text was attributed to it not being known. There were mentions of Parkinson’s symptoms in Egypt and Ayurveda. April month is also Parkinson’s Awareness Month.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that gets worse with time. It’s the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world. The focus is on research and a better understanding of the neurodegenerative disorder. There are early indicators for the onset of Parkinson’s’. Sleep disorders, loss of smell, and handwriting becoming smaller or crowded over time are some.
There is no cure.
There are some early signs.
People don’t have the same symptoms.
Parkinson’s is different for everyone.
What leads to the onset of Parkinson’s is not known, and it happens typically in people over the age of 60. Ealy-onset of Parkinson’s is also seen (5-10%). The life expectancy after the onset of Parkinson’s is less than 15 years. No cure for Parkinson’s is known, and treatment is only to lessen the burden on the patient. The thus far known medications on long-term use have become less effective and produce side effects, reducing the patient’s quality of life. There appears to be a relationship with the exposure to pesticides. There is no genetic connection to the onset of Parkinson’s.
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.
J.R.R. Tolkien
The second most common neurodegenerative condition is Parkinson’s after Alzheimer’s, but it is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world. The number of people living with Parkinson’s is put at 10 million globally. The United States, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, the UK and Spain are the countries topped with people with Parkinson’s Disease, with the US tops the list. East Asia had the highest increase in the incidence, and in China, the growth is more significant than in any other country. A decrease in the incidence was seen in Mediterranean countries, some attributing to their Mediterranean diet. When it comes to India, ~30-40 people per 1 lakh population have Parkinson’s. Consanguineous marriages are prevalent in certain groups in India and are also suspected to be resulting in a higher prevalence of Parkinson’s. Males are more prone (1.5 times) than females to develop the condition than females.
Start by making people around you more familiar with this disorder. It is important to help others learn more about this neurodegenerative disease.
Frank Church
Gene and cell-based therapies and neuroprotective treatmentsare some of the advances being explored. Surgical intervention by placing microelectrodes to reduce severe motor symptoms where drugs are ineffective is also being tried. Can we do something to reduce the risk? Yes, making dietary changes, exercising regularly, and avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals are some of them. Coffee lovers must be relieved to know that Caffeine appears protective.
If it is a pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness and a purple ribbon for Alzheimer’s, it is a red tulip for Parkinson’s.
Sometimes, carrying on, just carrying on, is the superhuman achievement.
Albert Camus
It’s essential to continue raising awareness about this condition and supporting research efforts to improve management and quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s.
Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.
Omar Khayyam
As poetically Omar Khayyam puts it, learn to be happy with the moment. This moment is your life, so enjoy it.
Toons: Reema
Logs: M. Sai Baba
ToonLogs
